the illustration/example essay language. movers and shapers

The Illustration/Examp

le Essay

Language

Movers and Shapers

What is their Secret?They are COMMUNICATORS

They know how to say “it”They know HOW to communicateThey know how to get interestThey know how to speak so – People will listen– People will believe– People will act

HOW?

They use language– To Inspire– To Persuade– To Delight– To Teach

How do YOU use language?What kinds of “language” do you use on a daily/weekly basis?

THIS WEEK...We will – Examine how they/we use

language– Study their use (and OUR use)

– Words– Language– Jargon– Slang– Appeals

– To get their /our point across– To include others– To exclude others

Every communication is essentially a trilateral relationship.  Each point of the triangleinfluences the others, and all are influenced by the context of the communication.  Each point of the triangle bears some responsibility for the success of the communication, and each point of the triangle corresponds with one of Aristotle's three appeals (general means of persuasion). 

The Rhetorical Triangle

The Three Means of Persuasion

Logos = the logical appeal, an appeal to the audience's reason based on such techniques as examples, inductive and deductive reasoning, definition of terms, critique of the opponent's logic, etc.Ethos = the ethical appeal, an appeal based on the character, persona, and/or position of the speaker.  Pathos = the emotional appeal, based on evoking particular emotions such as fear, envy, patriotism, lust, etc.

Three Points of the Triangle

AuthorMessageAudience

Rhetorical Triangle

The Example Essay:Movers and Shapers:Language

Definition:–Example is a specific event, person, or detail of an idea cited and/or developed to support or illustrate a thesis or topic.

We use examples to

Bring general and abstract statements down to earth so that– Readers will be interested– Readers will understand your ideas,

points

Make the – General specific– Abstract concrete

Understanding Illustration

An example or illustration represents– A general group

• Movers and Shapers– Carter– Martin Luther King– Elie Wiesel

– An abstract concept or quality• Language

– Jargon– Slang– Formal/Informal

TOPIC for Example Essay1. YOUR Language– How does your language differ with

these audiences/groups? Several groups….Different “languages” •Family •Friends•School•Church•Other Activities, Hobbies, Etc.

TOPIC for Example Essay

2. How do you use these appeals with your family/friends/church, etc.?–Logos–Pathos–Ethos

Language TOPICS 3-4

3. Chronology: “Languages” you use in a regular day…

4. One REALLY important Group and that “Language” that you share….

GETTING STARTED

Keep readers in mind…–What do they already know about your language?

–What do they need to know in order to accept your thesis?

Brainstorm ideas

Make lists

Write Letters

Answer questions to get started:

What WhoWhen Where HowWhy

OUTLINING –IMPORTANT!!

Introduction– Anecdote/first example (see Klass)– Thesis—Topic and significanceBody Paragraphs—categories of movers & shapers

– Topic sentence that includes key ideas from the thesis

– Examples—Needed to prove/illustrate thesis

– Summary sentence– Ends this categoryConclusion

– Return to anecdote to summarize – Restate thesis if necessary

How many examples?

Depends on subject, purpose, audience….

A single extended example – Several paragraphs– Several pages

Multiple examples– Few– Dozens

Or maybe both….

Sometimes a general or abstract statement benefits from both

– An extended example– Several briefer examples

For example: “A mental hospital is no place for the mentally ill.” – Develop half with one patient’s

experience– Develop half with brief summaries of

others’ experiences

Developing an Illustration

Begin by developing a thesis: It is a generalization based on what you know about your language, your jargon, based on your– Activities– School– Family– Friends

ORGANIZING

Introduction: Engages, gets attention, gives context to relate to….–Begin with a brief anecdote describing a specific situation of language use—Humorous? Serious?

The BODY: Example Essay

While writing the body of the essayRemember:–Examples must be

•Specific OR•Plentiful enough to illustrate your thesis

ORGANIZING

Body:–Single example–OR….–Multiple examples

ORGANIZING:How many examples?

Limited to 4 or 5: –Arrange in order of increasing

•Importance•Interest•Complexity

– Strongest, most humorous, most detailed provides a dramatic finish

Organizing:How many examples?

Ten or more examples?– Categorize or organize or classify– Find likenesses– Organize into order of

importance/emphasis – This organization will allow you to

discuss the examples in groups; for example:•Your language/jargon

– Family– Friends– Other

DRAFTING

If you used many examples, briefly summarize each in your essay

If you used few, longer examples, describe each one in detail

If you used a single example– NARRATE– BE SPECIFIC

EDIT FOR GRAMMAR AND PUNCTUATION!– Commas, fragments, comma splices, shifts to

“you,” verb forms

ORGANIZING

Conclusion–Come back to anecdote from your introduction and finish the story….•Elaborate on

YOUR THESIS!